City Policies Are Modular Homes’ Biggest Barrier

Only a few cities have legislatures that are convenient for prefab housing developments

April 20, 2015

The modular home industry, backed by many urbanists, believes that prefab homes are the solution for efficiency, sustainability, affordability, and availability in cities. So when can they become the norm?

Though several cities around the country, such as New York City, have amended legislature relating to zoning and building codes to allow more construction of modular homes in the form of micro-apartment complexes, most cities, such as Chicago, still have codes that make it hard to establish modular developments.